After eating and drinking his fill, Old Jack let out a satisfied burp, rubbed his now somewhat rounded belly, and left contentedly.
During the meal, Tang Hao had already given his permission, allowing Tang San to go study at the Notting City Junior Soul Master Academy.
This finally lifted a heavy stone from Old Jack's heart. He really liked this kid, Tang San, obedient and sensible since childhood.
Therefore, he still hoped Tang San could go study at Notting City Academy, so that in the future he would have a proper path forward. Otherwise, what future could he have following a depressed father like Tang Hao?
As for Jiang Chen, let him go to the Spirit Hall to study. After all, Spirit Hall had shown such great sincerity, and if Jiang Chen went to Spirit Hall, he would surely receive the best possible cultivation.
There was only one work-study student spot in Holy Soul Village, and it was perfect for Tang San.
This way, in the future, their village would have two soul masters, and one of them would even become a future Title Douluo.
Old Jack's calculations were very shrewd. He already seemed to see Holy Soul Village rising to glory under his leadership, and the name of the greatest village chief would be remembered by generations of Holy Soul Village descendants...
After the meal, just as Jiang Chen was about to leave, he was called back by Tang Hao.
"Little Chen, I saw you carrying that stone grinder and running this morning. Were you trying to train your body?"
Jiang Chen nodded: "Yes, I heard that the stronger the body, the easier it will be to absorb soul rings in the future."
Tang Hao nodded in approval: "Yes, I've heard that too. A good physical condition does give an advantage when absorbing soul rings. How about this, from now on, you can come learn blacksmithing with me. Blacksmithing consumes the most physical strength, and the training effect is no worse than running. It would also be good for you to have Tang San as company."
Jiang Chen's eyes lit up. That's right, blacksmithing seemed like an excellent training method.
Moreover, he might even get to see Tang Hao's Random Cloak Hammer Technique. Though he didn't have a hammer martial soul, so learning the hammer technique wouldn't be of much use to him.
But most importantly, working together with Tang San at the forge could help bring the two of them closer.
Although in his previous life, he couldn't say he particularly liked Tang San as a person, his cautious nature still told him that relying on Tang San to become a god was the safest path.
"Alright, Uncle." Jiang Chen happily agreed.
Since that was the case, he decided that from now on he would do running training in the mornings, and in the afternoons, he would learn blacksmithing at Tang Hao's forge.
Jiang Chen immediately decided that the next three months would pass like this. It should be very fulfilling.
After several interactions, Tang San's impression of Jiang Chen had greatly improved. He felt that Jiang Chen was actually quite a good person, especially his cooking, which was incredibly delicious.
As long as Jiang Chen didn't go crazy one day, Tang San felt he was still a pretty good friend.
...
At this moment, inside Spirit Hall, Su Yuntao was holding a report and excitedly barged into Master Ma Xiunuo's office.
"Who is it? Coming in without even knocking." Ma Xiunuo's displeased voice sounded as he raised his head.
"So it's you, kid. You never knock when you come in. A soul master's cultivation requires complete concentration. You need to have a steady character. Otherwise, you'll end up like me, forever unable to break through the threshold of rank thirty."
Facing Ma Xiunuo's scolding, Su Yuntao just chuckled and didn't mind at all. He raised the report in his hand, his expression extremely excited.
"Master Ma Xiunuo, yesterday in Holy Soul Village, I awakened an absolute genius! I suspect his martial soul might be one of the legendary god-level martial souls. Look, I've already written the report. Please quickly help me send it to the Papal Hall!"
Su Yuntao's face was flushed with excitement. Although he couldn't recruit Jiang Chen right now, if this report reached the Papal Hall, it would surely alarm His Holiness the Pope. Who knows, the Pope might even come in person.
And he, Su Yuntao, as the great contributor this time, would definitely receive generous rewards. Promotion and a raise were guaranteed. And that beautiful and charming Sisi, who had always kept him at arm's length, would surely willingly agree to be with him.
He could already see his life beginning its march toward the peak.
Hearing this, Master Ma Xiunuo's aged face darkened. He angrily rebuked: "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think god-level martial souls are cabbages? In all of Spirit Hall's records, only the previous Pope's family possessed god-level martial souls. Are you telling me a god-level martial soul appeared in some remote mountain village? I think your brain must have been kicked by a donkey."
After being scolded like this by Ma Xiunuo, Su Yuntao immediately became anxious and hurriedly explained: "Master Ma Xiunuo, I swear everything I said is true! At that time, the entire Holy Soul Village witnessed the strange phenomena during the martial soul awakening. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to investigate. This report already describes the entire awakening process in detail. Once it's presented, His Holiness the Pope will surely take it seriously."
Seeing Su Yuntao so certain and swearing, Ma Xiunuo couldn't help but feel some doubt. He opened the report that was several pages long, and the more he read, the more serious his expression became.
After a long while, he closed the report and said in a deep voice, "Well done. You've made a great contribution this time. But this matter is of utmost importance. I will first send someone to Holy Soul Village to confirm everything, and only then will I submit your report. Rest assured, if this is true, your reward will definitely not be small."
"Thank you so much, Master Ma Xiunuo." Su Yuntao said gratefully, his face filled with extreme excitement.
Ma Xiunuo put down the document and asked, "By the way, I heard you're still pursuing that girl Sisi?"
Su Yuntao's face reddened, and he nodded.
Ma Xiunuo sighed and said, "Listen to me, that girl Sisi is not suitable for you."
Su Yuntao hurriedly said, "Master Ma Xiunuo, please don't worry about my personal matters. I'll be going now. I still have to find Sisi for dinner." With that, he hurriedly ran out.
Ma Xiunuo shook his head, watching Su Yuntao's departing figure. His old, turbid eyes were filled with pity.
Then his gaze moved downward, returning to Jiang Chen's report.
He opened the report again. As he read its contents, his expression grew colder and colder.
Rip... rip...
Ma Xiunuo actually tore the report into pieces and threw it into the trash can.
"Su Yuntao, oh Su Yuntao, don't blame me for cutting off your future. As long as I am here, the Notting City branch hall belongs to me. Jiang Chen? Consider yourself unlucky. If you want to blame someone in the underworld, blame Su Yuntao."
Ma Xiunuo's voice was extremely cold, sending chills down one's spine. His aged face was already covered with killing intent.
He had worked hard for decades to finally reach the position of Grand Deacon. Now, the branch hall master's position was vacant. Although he was eighty-one years old, he still wanted to sit in that seat.
If he really submitted this report, would that position still be his?
At that moment, a figure suddenly flashed in through the doorway.
The person was a young girl who appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old. She had a tall, voluptuous figure, nearly 1.8 meters in height, with prominent curves, and a beautiful face.
After entering, she locked the door behind her.
"Master Ma Xiunuo~" A sweet, tender voice rang out, making one's bones feel soft.
Ma Xiunuo's eyes lit up. A meaningful smile appeared on his face. "Sisi, why have you come? Come here quickly, let me love you a little."